VIOLET’S POV
I thought I was going to die.
Merrin’s storm was everywhere…
His anger.
His presence.
The sheer weight of him pressing against me as he slammed me against the tree.
I could feel the rough bark digging into my back, his palm hovering, threatening. The heat of his body pressed so close I could barely breathe. My heart pounded like it wanted to escape my chest, every nerve screaming.
And then… the world shifted.
His phone buzzed sharply. That sudden, shrill sound sliced through the tension like a knife through silk.
Merrin’s gaze snapped to the screen. His jaw clenched. He answered the call, his voice low and sharp.
“What?” he barked, still gripping my neck… though his hold had loosened.
There was a pause. Then he snapped,
“I left for just one day and you can’t run th
